Ladder for agricultural vehicle



Jan. 10, 1961 P. H. WESTERLUND 2,967,584

LADDER FOR AGRICULTURAL VEHICLE Filed Aug. 5, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. P.H.WESTERLUND Jan. 10, 1961 P. H. WESTERLUND LADDER FOR AGRICULTURAL VEHICLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 5, 1957 INVENTOR. P. H.WESTERLUND United States Patent LADDER FOR AGRICULTURAL VEHICLE Paul H. Westerlund, Moline, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Deere & Company, a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 5, 1957, Ser. No. 676,308

'5 Claims. (Cl. 182-97) This invention relates to a vehicle and more particularly to a ladder and mounting therefor for an agricultural vehicle of the type in which the operators station is at an elevated position with respect to the ground.

Typical of such machine is the combine, which is equipped with relatively large front traction wheels over which the operator must climb to gain access to the operators station. It is known of course to provide a ladder or other mounting structure to facilitate access to and dismounting from the operators station. Since the lower rung or step of such ladder is proximate to the ground, it is likely to become damaged when the machine operates on uneven terrain. This is particularly true in agricultural machines of the so-called hillside combine type in which the body remains level and the wheels accommodate themselves to different hillside slopes. When the machine operates on a slope in which the wheel proximate to the ladder is elevated, the ladder is consequently brought into close proximity to the ground and in many cases is apt to encounter the ground itself or some obstacle or object on the ground. According to the present invention, the likelihood of damage to the ladder is eliminated by the provision of the ladder in a plurality of sections, at least the lower one of which is hinged on an axis transverse to the line of advance so that in the event that such obstacle or the ground itself is contacted, the ladder can swing rearwardly. Moreover, the invention features the use of the pivot as means about which the lower section of the ladder may be deliberately swung upwardly to a transport or storage position. The invention has for other objects the provision of improved means for retaining the ladder in its storage position, means whereby the storage-positioned ladder may be readily released for disposition in its operating position, means for elevating the ladder to its storage position, and the arrangement in such manner that the weight of the lower section of the ladder tends to cause it to assume its operating position.

The foregoing and other important obiects and desirable features inherent in and incompassed by the invention will become apparent as a preferred embodiment thereof is disclosed by way of example in the ensuing specification and accompanying sheets of drawings, the several figures of which are described immediately below.

Fig. 1 is a perspective of a typical hillside combine, with the improved ladder structure mounted thereon.

Fig. 2 is a similar perspective depicting the machine on a hillside slope and showing the ladder partially swung rearwardly.

Fig. 3 is a schematic front view, on a scale enlarged over that of Figs. 1 and 2, showing more clearly the possibility of ground contact of the lower portion of the ladder.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged elevation of a portion of the ladder mounting, illustrating the storage or transport position of the lower section of the ladder.

Patented Jan. 10, 1961 Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevation showing the ladder in its operating position.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary rear view as seen on the line 66 of Fig. 1 and drawn to the scale of Figs. 4 and 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view as seen along the line 7-7 of Fig. 5.

The agricultural machine chosen for purposes of illustration is a hillside combine patterned generally after that shown in the U.S. patent to Kroll 2,780,903; although, the machine obviously could have other characteristics. To the extent material here, the machine may be considered as having a fore-and-aft main body or supporting frame 10 advanceable over the ground so as to harvest standing crops by means of a header 12 connected to a forward portionof the body by a feeder house 14 and a swivel or ring joint 16. The ring joint is located in a manner different from the location in the Kroll patent butthe details are otherwise similar. The general nature of the connection at 16 is such as to allow the header 12 to adapt itself to changes in lateral slope of the ground while the body 10 remains level. For this purpose and in a machine of this vtype it is conventional to mount the forward part of the frame or body 10 on right and left hand front traction wheels 18 and 20, as

by right and left hand swingable arms 22 and 24, re-

spectively, which enable changes in elevation of the wheels relative to each other as well as relative to the body 10. Power operated means for causing the wheels to change position as illustrated in Fig. 3 may utilize right and left hand hydraulic cylinders 26 and 28,. the control of which is immaterial here. The rear end of the body is carried on an oscillatable wheeled truck 30, steered from an operators station 32 at the forward end of the body.

As is conventional, this operators station includes an operators platform 34, a steering wheel 36, a seat 38 and other controls not important at this time. The platform 34 is normally located centrally over the feeder house 14 or at such other elevation as to afford a convenient vantage point for the operator in the operation and control of the vehicle. Rearwardly of the operators station is a typical grain tank 40 which delivers laterally to the left via a delivery auger conveyor 42.

Ladder means, designated in its entirety by the numeral 44, provides access to and from the operators station 34 and is arranged to overhang the left hand traction wheel 20, whereby the operator may mount and dismount. from the operators station. This ladder means includes an upper supporting section 46 and a lower section 48. The upper section is rigidly mounted on the main supporting frame 10 as by being suitably connected to the operators platform 34, as at 50. The extreme upper portion of the upper section 46 is substantially at the level of the platform 34, or slightly thereabove, and includes a pair of steps 52 rigid with the side rails 54 that comprise the section. Expanded metal mesh at 55 may be used asa safety feature. e

The lower section 48 comprises front and rear upright side rails 56, cross-connected and rigidly interjointed by a pair of steps 58, the lower one of which is relatively close to the ground when the machine is level (Fig. 1). However, as best seen in Figs. 2 and 3, and particularly the latter, the lower step 58 is apt to contact the ground when the lateral slope of the field assumes such angle that the left hand traction wheel 20 rises to the extent indicated. -In such case, if the sections 46 and 48 were rigidly connected, the lower portion of the lower sectionwould likelybe damaged by contact with the ground or some object or obstacle on the ground. However, according to the present invention, this possibility is eliminatedby means hinging the lower section to the upper section on an axis transverse to the line of advance. The-hinge means is indicated in its entirety by the numeral 60 and the details thereof appear best in Figs. 5, 6 and 7.

The front rail or upright 56 of the lower section is provided at its upper end with strap means 62 apertured to carry a pivot pin 64 for receipt by a bracket means 66 on the lower extremity of the front rail 54 of the upper section 46. The connection is made substantial enough as to substantially minimize twisting of the lower section relative to the upper section about a vertical axis through the joint 60, the pin 64 permitting, of course, swinging of the lower section relative to the upper section about the transverse axis established thereby.

When the lower section is in its depending or operating position (Figs. 1 and 3), the weight of the lower section tends normally to cause the lower section to occupy that position, because the hinge axis at 64 is located ahead of the center of gravity of the lower section. Thus, the steps 58 on the lower section are continuations of the steps 52 on the upper section 46. The tendency of the lower section to swing farther forwardly than is desirable is prevented by a one-way lock 68 comprising a lug or bracket 70 on the lower extremity of the rear rail 54 of the upper section and a cooperating hooked member 72 on the upper terminal end of the rear rail 56 of the lower section 48. These details are best shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7. In short, the characteristic of the one-way lock at 68 is that when the operator mounts the lower section of the ladder, the lock parts 70 and 72 engage so that the lower section is in effect a continuation of the upper section. Now, during forward travel of the machine in a normally level field, the lower step 58 of the ladder is at a height convenient to enable the operator to mount and dismount therefrom. However, when the slope of the field changes relative to the machine, which may occur in a conventional machine when the machine itself tips relative to the ground or in a hillside machine when the wheels accommodate themselves to the slope while the body remains level (as in Figs. 2 and 3), the lower step 58 approaches the ground and in some cases even contacts the ground. In addition to the vertical forces that are transmitted to the lower section when the machine tips, there are rearward forces acting against the lower section as the machine advances. In the present instance, damage to the ladder is eliminated because the hinge at 60 enables the lower section 48 to swing rearwardly as shown in Fig. 2. In addition to this, the hinge, plus other means to be presently described, enables the section 48 to be swung to a storage position as shown in Fig. 4.

The rear leg 56 of the lower section 48 is outwardly offset relative to the upper section 46 so that it may pass the upper section when swinging about the axis at 64. This offset is clearly depicted in Figs. 4 and 7. Thus, the lower section occupies a substantially horizontal position and its ground clearance is materially increased. The means for releasably retaining the storage position of the lower section 48 is indicated in its entirety by the numeral 74 and comprises a spring catch 76 on the lower section and a hook or lug 78 on the upper section. The strength of the catch is suflicient to retain the storage position. When the operator is descending the upper section, he may reach out with one foot and apply a sufficient downward pressure to the horizontally positioned lower section as to overcome the catch. Or, he may simply reach down with his hand and release the catch, whereupon the lower section swings to its operating position, being stopped in that position by the means 68. At this point, it is well to note that the hook part 72 has an inner or back edge portion 73 which establishes the part as a boxlike element open at its bottom and front to receive the lug or lock part 70, the portion 73 hooking in back of the lug 70 to prevent the lower section from swinging laterally outwardly from the upper ladder section about a vertical twisting axis through the hinge means 60. Thus, the length of the hinge pin 64 and the lateral locking just described stablize the two ladder sections under normal operating conditions, yet the lock -72 is separable when the lower ladder section is forced rearwardly and upwardly.

The operator, while on the platform 34, may deliberately swing the lower section 48 to its storage position by means of a pull rope 80. The lower end of the rope is suitably attached to a convenient part of the ladder as shown and the upper end of the rope is connected adjacent to the operators station for ready access to the operator.

The features and objects of the invention are believed to be clear from the foregoing outline and the description of the preferred embodiment. Other feature not categorically enumerated will readily occur to those skilled in the art, as will many modifications and alterations in the disclosed embodiment, all of which may be achieved without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. For an agricultural machine having a supporting frame advanceable over the ground and including an operators station spaced above the ground: ladder means affording access to said station from the ground, comprising an upper supporting section positionable at one side of the machine to lead to the operators station and including means for affixation thereof to the supporting frame to depend from the frame to a lower terminal portion adapted for positioning at a substantial distance above the ground; a lower section normally in depending relation to said supporting section and having a lower portion proximate to the ground; means hinging the lower section to the terminal portion of the upper section on an axis transverse to the line of advance and located forwardly as respects the center of gravity of the lower section so that said lower section is biased by its own weight to its normally depending relation to said upper supporting section; and one-way engageable stop means between the two sections for stopping the lower section in its normally depending relation to the upper section and being disengageable for enabling said lower section to swing rearwardly when encountering an obstruction incident to advance of the machine.

2. For an agricultural machine of the hillside type having a body including an operators station, wheel means at opposite sides of the body and vertically movable respectively in opposite directions to adapt themselves to a hillside slope and means for leveling the body and operators station: ladder means affording access to the operators station from the ground, comprising an upper supporting section having means for afiixation thereof to the body and constructed to extend laterally from the operators station toward and over one wheel means and including a free end terminating above the ground; a lower section normally in depending relation to the upper section and having a lower portion normally terminating proximate to the ground when the machine is on level ground and adapted to approach and strike the ground when the body and operators station are leveled after the machine encounters a slope including upwardly at the side of the ladder means; and means mounting the lower section relatively movably on the upper section and enabling the lower section to yield upwardly when striking the ground.

3. The invention defined in claim 2, in which: the mounting means includes a hinge between the two sections on an axis transverse to the line of advance of the machine to enable the lower section to yield rearwardly and upwardly.

4. The invention defined in claim 2, in which: said lower section is yieldable to a storage position spaced above the ground and proximate to the operators station; said upper section includes step means enabling an operator to approach the terminal portion of said upper section from said station; and means is provided for releasably retaining said lower section in said storage position, said releasable means being located so as to be released by an operator at the terminal portion of said upper section.

5. The invention defined in claim 3, in which: the hinge axis is located forwardly as respects the center of gravity of the lower section so that said lower section is biased by its own weight to its normally depending relation to said upper supporting section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Sherman Jan. 22, Kaiser Apr. 9, Gault Mar. 13, Kemp Feb. 6, Fredell Apr. 16, Strauss Nov. 26, Schiller June 27, Smid et a1. Sept. 18, Skreberg Apr. 14, Davidson Nov. 3, Kroll et a1 Feb. 12, Duncan Oct. 12,

FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Aug. 31, 

